Reading FC

Sigurdsson sad to leave Reading FC

By Jonny Fordham
August 31, 2010

Gylfi Sigurdsson has admitted that he left Reading to join Hoffenheim with a heavy heart.

The 20-year-old signed a four-year deal at the club after completing a £6million move on Monday, it is expected he will be unveiled at the Bundesliga club later on Tuesday.

LIVE: Reading FC transfer deadline day special

It is believed Royals will get an initial £5million with the rest of the transfer made up of add ons. Sigurdsson’s old club Breiðablik will receive 10 per cent of that fee.

On arriving in Germany, Sigurdsson said: “I am taking a big leap, but its hopefully just one of many leaps. I say goodbye to Reading with a lot of sadness and I will miss the club a lot.

“I never expected to go to Germany but a good offer arrived, both for me and the club. The Bundesliga is a great league with a lot of strong teams and it will be exciting to play there.

“I am really happy with the contract and I have a great feeling about the team and everything around it. This is very exiting.

“Hoffenheim is a club on the way up and plans to win things in the future. I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t know a lot about the club at first.

“I think the style of football will suit me well. I fully understand I won’t be walking into the first 11 here as the team has started the season well. I have to prepare myself for a lot competition.”

Follow Jonny Fordham on Twitter here

| View Comments (28)

« Previous Story | Next Story »

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Most recent user comments 15 of 28

1 | 2 | Next Page Show 15 | 25 | 50 per page

Whilst it always hurts me to say it, think RBC were the greater instigators of the RFC move, setting up the land and consents to make the club 'sound' - hotel and other income basis. SJM has used this to his own ends and will have made a lot of money on his investments in the club IF he ever agrees to sell. Why should he, he operates his empire from there, has free living costs for himself and his freinds, and now makes the club 'stand' or fall on its own feet.

Silver Royal, Woodley
31/08/2010 at 16:47

Dee Reading Man "There isn't a Championship side who wouldn't sell a player for £6m! Reading the website it seems there is a policy where the player gets to make the decision."

You mean gets to make the decision once the club have decided the offer was acceptable to them! Whilst most other clubs would sell at that price they would also reinvest signficant amounts of it, particularly if their existing squad was threadbare.

HARB
31/08/2010 at 16:17

RoyalBlue. Just where is the evidence to support your claim that Madejski forked out £25M of his own money to build the stadium? I think you will find that most of the money he put into the club took the form of loans (most if not all repaid?) and that the amount actually donated (no strings attached) was a lot smaller than some make out.

HARB
31/08/2010 at 16:14

Let's remember JM saved ths club in 1990 and built the £25m stadium with his own money. The recession has hit him hard and he can't splash the cash anymore. This is still the golden age for Reading - it'll work out fine - we have to let Sig and Feds go.

RoyalBlue
31/08/2010 at 15:39

zurab is a royal

dazzap, reading
31/08/2010 at 15:17

Where's the edit button?!?!?!?

Zurab back!!!!!

Big P, Reading
31/08/2010 at 15:06

i personally think its a great bit of buisness for a player who cost us nothing. the only problem for me is we have no1 to replace him. if we sign a strriker and a centre back and left back i will be happy

dazzap, reading
31/08/2010 at 14:45

Looks like Madjeski is already preparing for life in League 1 by splashing out a massive £50,000 for Ian Harte.

According to reports the money was burning a hole in his pocket.

No Zurab then.

Big P, Reading
31/08/2010 at 14:13

All the best to the Sig, but can we please sign Zurab on loan and move on?

What's happening to Feds? 'cause I don't think the boy Hamer is good enough.........

Southbank Dave
31/08/2010 at 14:06

First watched the Sig when he scored against Burton last year,Knew he would be a big player for us,So very sad to see him leave !Good luck Sig ,Do hope Mr Madjeski Re-invests some of that money in another striker or attacking midfielder,Or the Chairman's constant referral to financial stability will mean nothing when we are in league 1 .The Premiership looks like a dream again now the Sig has gone !

Y26 Minty
31/08/2010 at 13:51

Gutted to see him go but wish him all the best as this is a good move for such a talent. Just surprised a top Prem side didn't come in for him.

SJM is trotting out the same old line, so don't expect to see any of the money spent on a replacement. Remind me again, who did we buy with the millions from the sale of Doyler, Hunt, Kitson and Sonko? Of course, despite also the millions from Sky over the past five years we have always been broke!!

Royals1871
31/08/2010 at 13:49

'Left Reading to join Hoffenheim with a heavy heart'.

What a load of ****, you have left Reading for more money lets be honest.

This is the problem with footballers these days, they are only in it for the big bucks there is no loyalty anymore. He had a get out clause which was activated by the big offer so the club are duty bound to the tell the player but ultimatley it is the player himself that signs on the dotted line.

Another good business deal SJM but please put some of it back into the club this time!!

NO-1, Reading
31/08/2010 at 13:48

Too good for this year's ambitions. Sad

Silver Royal, Woodley
31/08/2010 at 13:19

There isn't a Championship side who wouldn't sell a player for £6m! Reading the website it seems there is a policy where the player gets to make the decision. Who would we be to stand in his way? He is too good for Reading, simple as that! I hope to see him playing Champions League football one day! We love you Gylfi!